by Edward A. Schirick, C.P.C.U., C.I.C., C.R.M.

In 2015, there was a sharp increase in the number of calls to the ACA Crisis Hotline about accommodation and inclusion of individuals, both staff and campers, who identify themselves as transgender, gender nonconforming, or gender variant.

Does criminal behavior increase during difficult economic times? Some superheroes might say yes and some experts and researchers would agree.

What implications does this have for camps, both for-profit and nonprofit, and small businesses in general? Does this mean camp directors should be more vigilant during bad economic times? Is it time to post a job opening online for a superhero? No, wait! Look up in the sky! Here comes "Risk Management" to save the day!

An important step in the risk management process includes risk financing. The most common risk financing technique camps use is buying insurance. The insurance premium is the cost of financing the risks covered by the insurance policy. The insurance company accepting the premium presents a contract (the policy) in which they lay out the types of risks they will assume, the terms and conditions under which they will assume them, and when and how they will make payments for these obligations.

Camp directors don't spend enough time considering the risks of business interruption. Inadequate preparation increases the risk of financial loss and carries with it potentially catastrophic implications for the future of the business.

Business Interruption insurance is also known as Business Income insurance, or Time Element insurance. It is written as part of the property insurance policy, but is a separate coverage part, distinct from the insurance purchased to protect the value of buildings and contents.

Laws and regulations create a variety of risks for camp directors to manage. The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) presents an interesting risk management challenge. The Act was passed in 1990 to give protection against discrimination to individuals with disabilities. ADA is similar to other national civil rights acts, which prohibited discrimination based upon race, sex, national origin, age, and religion. Recently, some camp professionals raised questions about camps and Title III of ADA as part of the risk identification step in the risk management process.

Speaking or writing about risk management without mentioning insurance is difficult. The two disciplines are independent in theory, but "glued together" in thought and practice.

Insurance is one of the first tools camp risk managers can deploy in their arsenal of weapons to combat risk. Insurance is the weapon of choice for camp risk managers when the risks are too unpredictable, or the stakes are so high with such significant financial impacts their organizations simply couldn't win the battle on their own without some help.

About ACA

The American Camp Association is a community of camp professionals who, for over 100 years, have joined together to share our knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs. Because of our diverse 11,000 plus membership and our exceptional programs, children and adults have the opportunity to learn powerful lessons in community, character-building, skill development, and healthy living — lessons that can be learned nowhere else.